Chapter 78: Lynch’s Moment of Ease

While the young undercover Wood was filled with anticipation for the new day, Lynch drove to an upscale middle-class neighborhood.

After waiting about ten minutes, a mature woman wearing light makeup and carrying a fashionable handbag emerged from the gated community.

Lynch immediately got out of the car, waved to her with a smile, and even opened the rear door for her.

This was a very gentlemanly gesture. The front passenger seat might feel more intimate, but such impulsive behavior is not always welcomed. Without absolute certainty, interactions between men and women should avoid awkwardness, especially in enclosed spaces.

“Thank you,” Vera smiled at Lynch as she settled into the car.

Earlier that afternoon, Lynch had called her, inviting her out for dinner and a talk about work.

Vera, who had been in a cold war with her husband, felt she needed to get out and clear her mind. She had even put on makeup—something rare for her.

Makeup among women became popular only a few years ago. In the past, women in the Federation—and worldwide—mostly didn’t wear makeup. Only skilled women used heavy makeup to mask their true faces, and only they wore perfume to cover the scent of fading hormones.

With the rise of the feminist movement and its victories, using cosmetics was liberated from prejudice. Some sociologists argued it was a conspiracy by those skilled women.

Previously, people could identify such women by their faces and strong scents and thus discriminate against them socially.

Now, they successfully hid themselves.

Feminist groups called such claims sensationalism, asserting that beauty and the pursuit of beauty are everyone’s freedom. Men labeling women’s behavior as abnormal is itself discrimination.

The feminist movement also changed many things: some men even started experimenting with makeup, and perfume became widespread.

The Federation is a meat-heavy society; most people eat meat from morning until night, with only small amounts of vegetables. This caused serious body odor issues. Before, frequent bathing was the only remedy, but now everyone uses perfume.

Despite societal changes, upper-middle-class and especially upper-class women generally don’t wear makeup or perfume. Many older women still hold to tradition.

This has sometimes linked cosmetics—especially lipstick—and erotic products in people’s minds.

Vera wearing light makeup outside was a breakthrough. Many women only wore makeup at home to spice up their marriages; rarely did they wear makeup in public.

Lynch nodded slightly to acknowledge Vera’s thanks, then returned to the driver’s seat and started the car, heading toward the restaurant he had booked.

The restaurant was near Vera’s home. Residential and commercial areas complement each other; no one would invest in a luxury mall in a poor third-tier neighborhood or open a discount store outside a wealthy community.

After about ten minutes, the car pulled up outside the restaurant. As the host moved to open Vera’s door, Lynch smiled inside the car and said, “May I have this chance?”

Vera was slightly surprised but pleased. The host smiled and stepped aside.

Lynch stepped out, opened the rear door, blocking the door frame with one hand while extending his other hand—palm down, loosely clenched—to offer Vera support.

She thanked Lynch for his gentlemanly behavior and took his arm.

Lynch was younger than Vera. Women could be foolish or sharp—and more dangerous when sharp, sometimes deceiving themselves. Vera treated Lynch’s manner as a little brother’s playful joke.

She linked her arm through his, a fairly intimate gesture in return for his courtesy.

They entered the restaurant. Lynch gave his name, and the floor manager led them to their reserved table. On the way, Lynch whispered to Vera.

His breath was strange, making thought feel sticky. He said, “I heard a funny little joke outside. Would you be upset?”

She shook her head.

Lynch smiled, “Do you know why I stand on your left side?”

She tilted her head and shook her head again.

“Because that way I’m closer to your heart…” He laughed—a sweet, slightly flirtatious joke, light and easy, not awkward or stiff, yet carrying a certain feeling.

Vera smiled too, didn’t find it awkward, and even retorted, “Whoever taught you that joke is probably a bad person.”

“I totally agree!”

They reached the table. Lynch pulled out her chair, and after she sat, the conversation became less awkward.

“I recently started a new company and have sent letters to the firm. Sorry to interrupt your vacation…” Lynch was referring to accounting for the auction house. Though the city hall granted some tax relief, he still filed honestly.

Since Sabin City’s economic downturn, city hall has encouraged entrepreneurship and social responsibility, urging businesses to create more jobs.

But this hasn’t been very effective.

Funds that should have supported the real economy were funneled into financial markets, causing further decline. Maintaining existing jobs is already difficult, let alone creating new ones.

Under these conditions, Lynch’s decision to start a service company focused on secondhand goods trading and auctions, promising at least twenty immediate jobs and over a hundred in the future, deeply impressed local officials.

Recognizing Lynch’s social responsibility and passion, the officials helped him apply for favorable policies.

For two years, his auction company will enjoy half-rate taxes, then another two years with tax breaks if annual profits stay below the second tax bracket.

Good policies require thorough bookkeeping. Lynch never expected tax authorities to overlook him, even with a good relationship with Director Johnson.

Every step must be precise. He despises tax evasion and refuses to risk bigger consequences.

Clear books and paying taxes aren’t about proving invincibility, but about giving no opportunity to enemies.

To be invincible, one must first empower oneself.